“Ya Kundendu Tusharahara Dhavala Ya Shubhra Vastravrita
Ya Veena Varadanda Manditakara Ya Shveta Padmasana
Ya Brahmachyuta Shankara Prabhritibihi Devaih Sada Pujita
Sa Mam Pattu Saravatee Bhagavatee Nihshesha Jadyapaha
Salutations to Devi Saraswati, Who is pure white like Jasmine, with the coolness of Moon, brightness of Snow, and shines like the garland of Pearls; and Who is covered with pure white garments. Whose hands are adorned with Veena (a stringed musical instrument) and the boon-giving staff; and Who is seated on pure white Lotus, Who is always adored by Lord Brahma, Lord Acyuta (Lord Vishnu), Lord Shankara and other Devas. O Goddess Saraswati, please protect me and remove my ignorance completely”
-Saraswati Vandana Mantra On Tuesday, Hindus all over the world will begin fasting and offering prayers for Navaratri. And we observe Navaratri twice a year — once in the spring and again in the fall. Navaratri means ‘Nine Nights’. Nine nights when we worship God as female. As a Saraswati devotee, Navaratri is especially important to me. The nine nights are divided into groups of three – in which the Devi is worshipped in each of the three major (Maha) manifestations: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
It is trite — but unfortunately necessary in our multi-religious Guyana — to reiterate that in the Hindu tradition “God” is beyond human conceptions, and the best we can do is to use metaphors drawn from our own mundane experience. Thus, it is a tribute to our ancestors in faraway India, thousands of years ago, to recognise that the essential “energy” of all creation is “female”. Hence the imperative Godesses.
Saraswati, the goddess who is worshipped for knowledge — both spiritual and for inspiration for music, art, and poetry — is the consort of Brahma (the creator). In Hinduism, symbolism is often used to project the truth sought to be conveyed. For example, Saraswati is dressed in white to represent the purity of the illumination that knowledge gives you. In one of her four hands she holds prayer beads to represent spiritual knowledge, in another hand she holds a book to represent other knowledge, and in her other two hands she holds a Vina (a type of Sitar) to represent music and art. It is also unfortunate that in Guyana we do not stress the arts enough in the transmission and reception of knowledge.
Then there is Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu, the preserver. We need wealth for sustenance: Hindus make no bones about this. Poverty is the greatest challenge. But wealth doesn’t just mean money and a new Ferrari, not that these are scorned once one is not controlled by them; wealth also means good health and a wonderful family life, and that’s what Lakshmi represents. Two of her hands hold lotuses to represent the pure immaterial gifts she bestows; and coins pour down from her other two hands to represent material wealth. She accompanied Vishnu in each of his incarnations. She was the Sita to his Ram and the Rukmini to his Krishna.
Durga is probably the fiercest goddess; she represents the power of a woman to the fullest. Every aspect of her represents Shakti (power) – she rides a tiger (or a lion), and in her many hands she holds every conceivable weapon. Persons worship Durga for strength, determination and power. She is the counterpart of Shiva in the dissolution phase. Kali was born from the furrowed brow of Durga to defeat the demon Raktabjija who had threatened the gods. There are many people who worship Kali for power and strength. Kali represents untamed power. Hindus need to understand that knowledge and wealth can only be sustained on a foundation of power.
The Hindu goddesses are diverse, and represent qualities that we should all aspire to have.
Happy Navaratri!
